Executive Lead, Financial Crime Operations (Hybrid)

Starling Bank; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension (Company-enhanced)

Private Medical Insurance

25 days annual leave

Cycle to Work

Volunteer time

Job summary

Starling Bank is seeking a Head of Financial Crime Operations in the UK to lead end-to-end AML, CTF and due diligence operations across multiple teams. The role requires senior leadership experience, deep regulatory knowledge and a proven ability to drive risk-based controls while partnering with 2nd line risk, compliance, product, engineering, and data functions.

Hybrid working model with in-office days in Southampton and Cardiff, travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Deep subject matter expertise in UK Financial Crime regulatory guidelines, MLRs, JMLSG, PEPs, and Sanctions.
• Technical competency in understanding models, data, MI, statistical analysis, and operational workflows.
• Proven track record of managing large scale, complex financial crime operations, customer onboarding, and risk frameworks within regulated banking.

Responsibilities

• Oversee AML, CTF, CDD/EDD operations end-to-end and ensure performance against SLAs across customer segments.
• Lead recruitment, development and engagement of a multi-team workforce with cross-functional collaboration across Risk, Compliance, Product, Engineering and Data.
• Drive continuous improvement of control environment, cost management and governance aligned with risk appetite and budget.
• Navigate complex organisational changes and regulatory updates while maintaining clear accountability for functional results.

Job description

Starling Bank is seeking a Head of Financial Crime Operations in the UK to lead end-to-end AML, CTF and due diligence operations across multiple teams. The role requires senior leadership experience, deep regulatory knowledge and a proven ability to drive risk-based controls while partnering with 2nd line risk, compliance, product, engineering, and data functions.

Hybrid working model with in-office days in Southampton and Cardiff, travel as needed.